Evaluation of a Hypersensitivity Inhibitor Containing a Novel Monomer That Induces Remineralization—A Case Series in Pediatric Patients

Background: Recently, tooth deformities have been frequently encountered by pediatric dentists. Severe enamel hypomineralization sometimes induces pain such as hyperesthesia, but composite resin restoration is difficult because it often detaches without any cavity preparation. Resin-based hypersensitivity inhibitors for tooth physically seal the dentinal tubules. It was reported that hypersensitivity inhibitor containing novel adhesive monomers forms apatite and induces remineralization in vitro. Therefore, these clinical trials assessed the clinical effects of remineralization and the suppression of hypersensitivity by the new agent. Methods: After mechanical tooth cleaning was performed, the hypersensitivity inhibitors were applied and cured by light exposure. Changes in hypersensitivity were determined by visual analog scale (VAS). The improvement of hypomineralization was evaluated by the change in color tone based on the digital images of intraoral photographs. Results: After repeated monthly treatments, these cases showed decreased hypersensitivity after the fourth application, while the opaque white and brownish color improved on the seventh application. Conclusion: This novel hypersensitivity inhibitor with C-MET and MDCP not only suppressed hypersensitivity but also improved cloudiness and brown spots in immature permanent teeth in presented cases.

Patterns of coloring with ionic dyes of the base glass matrix and enamel coatings in the system R2O–ВаО–ZnO–Al2O3–В2О3–TiO2–SiO2

The paper presents the study on the identification of patterns of coloring of a basic glass matrix and enamel coatings based on it in the system R2O–ВаО–ZnO–Al2O3–В2О3–TiO2–SiO2 by a number of ionic dyes. Regardless of the dye content, ionic dyes give the same color tone to both glasses and coatings based on these glasses as follows: CuO (1.0–3.0 wt.%) =489–494 nm (blue-green), Fe2O3 (0.5–2.0 wt.%) =575–585 nm (yellow), K2Cr2O7 (0.5–2.0 wt.%) =570–576 nm (yellow-green), CoO (0.5–1.0 wt.%) =441–463 nm (blue-violet), and NiO (0.5–1.0 wt.%) glass=559'–571' nm, coatings=598–629 nm (brown). It is shown that according to the degree of color intensity of glasses and coatings based on them, the dyes are arranged in the following sequence: CoO>NiO>CuO>K2Cr2O7>Fe2O3.. The research was conducted using a special computer program COLOR GLASS. The established patterns are used in the development of lead-free glass enamels for jewelry and decorative products.

Aplicación del valor de tono de color directo para el control cromático del proceso de recubrimiento de tabletas farmacéuticas

Se propone una aplicación novedosa de la fórmula SCTV (Spot Color Tone Value) proveniente de la industria de reproducción gráfica, para el control de la calidad del proceso de recubrimiento de tabletas farmacéuticas. Se analizan dos procedimientos: uno mediante la obtención de los espectros de reflectancia, de los cuales se pueden derivar los atributos cromáticos, y otro a partir de la obtención de las coordenadas de color de una imagen fotográfica calibrada. Nuestro objetivo es reducir la necesidad de intervención, extracción y destrucción de tabletas durante el control de calidad, además de facilitar el control y evaluación del proceso de forma remota, generando respuestas en tiempo real para la toma de decisiones.

COVID-19 Early Detection Tool for Elder Abuse during Epidemics, Digital Analysis of Color Tone on the Surface of the Skin in Elderly People

The purpose of this study was to attempt a digital analysis of body color tone of elderly subjects, thus demonstrating that nurses and caregivers can easily and reliably record changes in body color tone. This cross-sectional study took place between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2019. A workshop was set up where observers received explanations from researchers on how to use color charts and recording forms. Measurement instruments (digital cameras) were also standardized in this effort. While the elderly subjects targeted by this study suffered from dementia, they were able to converse and understood the purpose of the study, and the study was conducted with their and their families’consent. In addition, after receiving approval from a research ethics examination from an affiliated university, the target facility gaining this consent was subjected to an ethical review, after which we implemented the study in accordance with ethical guidelines for medical research on humans. Consent was obtained from 30 subjects (20 female (66.7%), 8 male (26.7%) and 2 for which the gender was unknown; average age: 87.8 years (minimum 80 years, maximum 100 years)). We were able to perform digital image analysis of the lesion site and unaffected parts, and present numerical values. Evaluations by observers were significantly different depending on the individual, and subjectivity greatly influenced comparisons with the color chart based on visual evaluations. It was confirmed that numerical evaluation of images taken in hospitals and nursing homes could also be performed using general-purpose software.

Evaluation of Color Tone and Exfoliation Resistance of Porcelain-Firing Ti with White Oxide Coating as an Opaque Layer

One of the applications of titanium in the dental field is a porcelain-fired-metal crown. It is made by firing porcelain multiple times with different composition of ceramics on a metallic abutment tooth. Regarding firing process to metallic abutment, a primer is generally required to be applied in advance of a porcelain firing and the opaque porcelain is applied to cover the metallic color of the abutment. By the way, our recent research shows that white oxide films formed on the Ti substrate have a color tone similar to opaque porcelain. Therefore, porcelain-fired-Ti samples replacing primer and opaque porcelain firing with the TiO2 oxide layer were fabricated and evaluated in this study. Color tone and peel strength were evaluated, and cross-sectional observation was observed by SEM and EPMA.

Protective and decorative properties of titanium glass enamels

It is known that enamel coatings with enhanced protective and decorative properties can be fabricated on the basis of boron-silicate glass frits with an increased content of TiO2 in their composition. Opacity and white color of enamel coatings are due to their crystallization at firing temperatures. Titanium glass enamels are not pure white visually, and show yellow and blue shades depending on their chemical composition. The purpose of this work was to establish the influence of basic components on the water resistance and color characteristics of titanium enamel coatings. Our experimental study was focused on the glass frits with the chemical composition described by the generalized formula (76–n–m)SiO2nB2O3mNa2O24MexOy, where MexOy is the total content of TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, MgO, СaO, P2O5, and K2O. It was found that the glass frits with the following content of basic components (mol.%): Na2O 12–13, K2O 3, B2O3 10–11, SiO2 49–51 demonstrated the highest water-resistant properties. The color characteristics of titanium enamel coatings prepared on the basis of the mentioned glass frits differ significantly from the reference white light A; the titanium enamel coatings under consideration have a yellow-green tint. The highest deviations of the enamel coating color purity and color tone from a standard of white color were observed when increasing the Na2O content in the glass frits composition at the expense of SiO2. The color of titanium coatings with the highest water resistance has a deviation from the standard of white color within 4–6%.

Inhibitory Control Deficits in Overweight Participants are Preserved in a Gamified Stop-Signal Task (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Gamification in mental health could increase training adherence, motivation, and transfer effects, but the external validity of gamified tasks is unclear. The present study documents that gamified task variants can show preserved associations between markers of behavioral deficits and health-related variables. We draw on the inhibitory control deficit in overweight populations to investigate effects of gamification on performance measures in a web-based experimental task. OBJECTIVE This study tested whether associations between inhibitory control and overweight were preserved in a gamified stop-signal task (SST). METHODS Two versions of an adaptive SST were developed and tested in an online experiment. Participants (n=111) were randomized to one of the two task variants and completed a series of questionnaires along with either the gamified SST or a conventional SST. Both variants drew on the identical core mechanics but the gamified variant included an additional narrative, graphical theme, scoring system with visual and emotional feedback, and the presence of a companion character. In both tasks, food and neutral low-poly stimuli had to be classified based on their color tone (go trials), but responses had to be withheld in 25% of the trials (stop-trials). Mean go reaction times and stop signal reaction times (SSRT) were analyzed as measures of performance and inhibitory control. RESULTS Participants in the gamified SST had longer reaction times (803±179 ms vs. 607±90 ms) and worse inhibitory control (SSRT: 383±109 ms vs. 297±45 ms). The association of BMI with inhibitory control was relatively small (r=.155, 95%-CI: .013-.290). Overweight participants had longer reaction times (752±217 ms vs. 672±137 ms) and SSRTs (363±116 ms vs. 326±77 ms). Gamification did not interact with the effect of overweight on mean performance or inhibitory control. There were no effects of gamification on mood and user experience, despite a negative effect on perceived efficiency. CONCLUSIONS The detrimental effects of heightened body-mass index on inhibitory control were preserved in a gamified version of the stop signal task. Overall the effects of overweight were smaller than in previously published web-based and laboratory studies. Gamification elements can impact behavioral performance, but gamified tasks can still assess inhibitory control deficits. Although our results are promising, according validations may differ for other types of behavior, gamification, and health variables.